Department for Communities and Local Government

Housing Associations: Private Sector

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 30 November (HL3538), what action they are taking to enable the Office for National Statistics to reclassify housing associations to the private sector.

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The Government is committed to returning housing associations to the private sector where they clearly belong. We made changes to the Housing and Planning Act 2016 to address controls identified by the Office for National Statistics. Following on from this we will be laying regulations under section 93 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 in the New Year.

Housing: Cooperatives

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they last met a co-operative housing provider to discuss the provision of more co-operative housing.

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The Government continues to demonstrate its support for the community led housing sector and we encourage community led groups, including housing co-operatives, to apply for funding from the expanded and more flexible Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme. Operational delivery of the programme is delegated to the Homes and Communities Agency and the Greater London Authority and so they will work with individual providers. However, my officials also regularly meet representatives of the community led housing sector, including the Confederation of Co-operative Housing (CCH), to discuss how they can positively contribute to the delivery of new housing.

Antisemitism

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the proposed official definition of anti-semitism will include criticism of the government of Israel.

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism adopted by Her Majesty’s Government does not preclude criticism of Israel. As the definition makes clear, criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as anti-Semitic.The full text of the working definition of anti-Semitism and examples (attached) can be foundat: http://european-forum-on-antisemitism.org/report/working-definition-antisemitism-ihra 



Anti Semitism
(PDF Document, 291.39 KB)

Antisemitism

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether their new definition of anti-Semitism will allow for the criticism of the government of Israel and its policies towards the Palestinian people.

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism adopted by Her Majesty’s Government does not preclude criticism of Israel. As the definition makes clear, criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as anti-Semitic.The full text of the working definition of anti-Semitism and examples (atached) can be foundat: http://european-forum-on-antisemitism.org/report/working-definition-antisemitism-ihra 



Anti - Semitism
(PDF Document, 291.39 KB)

National Identity

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of reports that civil servants and other holders of public office might be required to swear an oath to British values, what is their definition of British values.

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that any British values are different from universal values; and, if so, which ones are different.

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are aware of any major religions that do not subscribe to universal values.

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: As the then Home Secretary explained in her speech of 23rd March 2015, British values – such as regard for the rule of law, participation in and acceptance of democracy, equality, free speech and respect for minorities – are supported by the overwhelming majority of British people. They are sustained by our most important local and national institutions. And they are the means by which we have made our multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious society succeed.

Public Sector: National Identity

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to require public servants to take an oath of obedience to British values; and if so, what sanctions will apply for a refusal to do so.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to require public servants in Northern Ireland to take an oath of obedience to British values.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any calculation has been made of the estimated cost to the public purse of administering the proposed oath of obedience to British values.

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: My Right Honourable Friend, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has made clear he will be studying Dame Louise Casey’s Review of integration and opportunity closely. As part of those considerations, we will consider carefully, in consultation with government colleagues in both the United Kingdom and devolved administrations, Dame Louise’s recommendation that British values be included in a new oath for those in public office.In spring, we will come forward with our plans for tackling the issues raised by Dame Louise, so that we can continue to build a country that works for everyone.

Muslims

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the contribution of Ahmadi Muslims to the UK.

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: Faith communities make a vital contribution to Britain, guiding the moral outlook of many, inspiring great numbers of people to public service and providing help to those in need. Ahmadiyya Muslims have made an immeasurable contribution to this country through their representation in business and public services, as well as charitable work such as the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association’s support for The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal which has raised thousands of pounds.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Natural Gas

Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of the UK's gas distribution industry is owned and operated by companies based outside the UK.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: All of the GB gas distribution network companies are owned and operated by companies registered and based in the UK, and are subject to a domestic legal and regulatory framework. These companies are owned by a diverse range of stakeholders based both within the UK and outside:National Grid Gas Distribution, which operates four gas distribution networks, is currently owned in full by National Grid, based in the UK. However, a consortium managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets, based in Australia has recently been named as successful in its bid to co-own the company, although the deal is not yet complete.SGN (previously known as Scotia Gas Networks) operate two gas distribution networks and are owned by SSE plc, Borealis Infrastructure Management Canada and Ontario Teacher’s Pension Plan with SSE recently announcing their intention to sell part of their stake to the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. These companies are based in the UK, Canada and the United Arab Emirates respectively.Northern Gas Networks run one gas distribution network and are owned by companies associated with Li Ka Shing including Cheung Kong Infrastructure based in Hong Kong and SAS Trustee Corporation based in Australia.Wales and West Utilities run one gas distribution network and are also owned by companies associated with Li Ka Shing, notably Cheung Kong Infrastructure based in Hong Kong.

Electricity

Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of the UK's electricity distribution system is owned and operated by companies based outside the UK.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: All of the GB electricity distribution network companies are owned and operated by companies registered and based in the UK, and are subject to a domestic legal and regulatory framework. These companies are owned by a diverse range of stakeholders based both within the UK and outside:Electricity North West, which owns and operates one electricity distribution network, is owned by a consortium managed by Colonial First State and JP Morgan Asset Management, based in Australia and the USA respectively.Northern Powergrid, which owns and operates two electricity distribution networks, is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway based in the United States of America (USA).Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, which owns and operates two electricity distribution networks, is part of the SSE Group based in the UK.SP Energy Networks, which owns and operates two electricity distribution networks, is part of the Scottish Power Limited, which is an unlisted sub-holding company of the Iberdrola Group based in Spain.UK Power Networks, which owns and operates three electricity distribution networks, is owned by a consortium, including Power assets Holdings Ltd, Li Ka Shing Foundation Ltd, Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Ltd, all of which are based in Hong Kong.Western Power Distribution, which owns and operates four electricity distribution networks, is owned by PPL Corporation based in the USA

Department for Education

Schools: Standards

Lord Murphy of Torfaen: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of pupils’ achievement in non-selective schools operating in areas where there are existing grammar schools.

Viscount Younger of Leckie: The number of entries and achievements of pupils at the end of key stage 4 by school admission basis in England for academic year 2015/16 are publicly available.The latest statistics, for 2015-2016, are available in Table 2b in the attached tables that accompanied the statistical first release ‘GCSE and equivalent results: 2015 to 2016 (provisional)’, which was published in October 2016.



Statistical First Release 48-2016 provisional GCSE
(Excel SpreadSheet, 346.58 KB)

Ministry of Justice

Prisons: Drugs

Baroness Smith of Basildon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of drug use in prisons and its impact on violence levels.

Lord Keen of Elie: As the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has said, the rise in dangerous psychoactive substances has been a game-changer in terms of its impact on levels of safety in prisons. The Justice Secretary has been clear that levels of violence in prisons are unacceptable and has announced a major overhaul of the prison system including 2,500 extra frontline prison officers. These extra officers and new safety measures will help us crack down on the toxic cocktail of drugs, drones and mobile phones that are in our prisons. Our measures will create prisons that are places of safety and reform, giving prisoners the education and skills they need to turn their back on crime for good.We take a zero tolerance approach to drugs in our prisons. We have rolled out tests for new psychoactive substances, and have trained 300 dogs to detect these drugs. We have introduced tough new laws which will see those who smuggle packages over prison walls face up to two years in prison. And every prisoner will have a dedicated officer to support them as they quit drugs, get back into learning and break the cycle of reoffending.

Prison Service

Baroness Smith of Basildon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the ratio of prison staff to prisoners in English and Welsh prisons in each year since 2009.

Lord Henley: Information on prisoner population and staffing levels is published on gov.uk and is copied in the table below. We are committed to transforming prisons into places of safety and reform, and we have announced a major overhaul of the prison system including the recruitment of 2,500 extra frontline officers. As an immediate action we have already invested £14 million to provide more than 400 extra staff in ten of the most challenging prisons. We are also introducing a new scheme to attract top graduates and former servicemen and women into the service, and giving governors greater flexibility over recruitment so they can address staffing quickly. Prisoner/Officer ratio in public sector prisons in England and Wales, 31 March 2009 to 2016 (Full Time Equivalent)  YearPrisoner/Staff ratio   31/03/20092.9   31/03/20103.1   31/03/20113.1   31/03/20123.4   31/03/20133.4   31/03/20143.9   31/03/20153.9   31/03/20163.91 Ratio is calculated using the standard approach of dividing the prison population by the number of band 3-5 officers (FTE equivalent)2 NOMS only holds responsibility for staff in public sector prisons, and only holds figures for these staff accordingly. Staff numbers in private prisons are not the responsibility of NOMS and are not held. Ratios can only be calculated for public sector prisons.

Care Proceedings

Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the concerns raised by the President of the Family Division of the High Court of England and Wales about the impact on the Family Court of the sharp rise in the number of child care cases, what steps they are taking to reduce the pressure on the court service.

Lord Henley: We want family cases to be resolved as quickly as possible and with the minimum amount of stress, especially for children. That is why we have taken action to increase sitting days to alleviate the pressure on courts. We will continue to do all we can to make sure our family justice system places the welfare of children at its heart. The Government is working to understand the reasons behind the rise in cases and what more we can do to support the court service and others, including local authorities, on this matter.

Coroners: Greater London

Baroness Sharples: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there are delays of six months or more in holding inquests in London, and if so, why.

Lord Keen of Elie: Coroners must by law complete an inquest within six months or as soon as practicable after the death has been reported to them. Inquests may take longer than six months due to the complexity of the case or other factors such as the need to wait for other investigations to finish. Across the eight coroner jurisdictions in London 1,901 inquests were completed within 6 months and 1,747 inquests were completed in six months or more in 2015.

Human Rights Act 1998

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to authorise public access in 2017 to official records relating to the preparation of the Human Rights Bill in 1997.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they intend to arrange for the publication, under the 20-year rule, of official records relating to the preparation and passage of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Lord Henley: The Ministry of Justice’s intention is for policy records created in 1997 and 1998 to be reviewed in 2019 for transfer to The National Archives in 2020. This is in accordance with the deadline specified by the Public Records (Transfer to the Public Record Office) (Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2012.

Bill of Rights

Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws: To ask Her Majesty’s Government why they have not yet responded to the report by the EU Justice Sub-Committee, The UK, the EU and a British Bill of Rights, published on 9 May 2016; and when they plan to issue the response.

Lord Keen of Elie: Sir Oliver Heald wrote on 30 November concerning the Government’s response to Lord Boswell in his capacity as Chair of the EU Committee. In his letter, Sir Oliver said that the Government is currently considering human rights reform in the context of the future constitutional framework of the United Kingdom following the vote to leave the EU, and is therefore not in a position to provide a substantive response to the Sub-Committee’s report at this time.

Contracts: EU Law

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to negotiate for the UK's continued participation in those aspects of the Rome I Regulation which require a contract between a business and a consumer to be governed by the law of the country where the consumer lives; and if so, whether they will convert the rules set out in Rome I into domestic law by including them in the legislation required to withdraw from the EU.

Viscount Younger of Leckie: The Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) has responsibility for overseeing negotiations to leave the EU and establishing the future relationship between the UK and the EU. The Ministry of Justice, which has responsibility for civil law instruments such as the Rome I Regulation, has been working closely with DExEU to consider options for the future relationship between the UK and the EU. We will work to ensure the best outcome for the UK, including its consumers and businesses.

Civil Proceedings: EU Law

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to negotiate the UK's continued participation in those aspects of the Brussels I framework which provide that civil and commercial judgments are recognised and enforced throughout the EU, and provide for consumers to sue or defend themselves in domestic courts and have any judgment enforced across the EU.

Lord Henley: The Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) has responsibility for overseeing negotiations to leave the EU and establishing the future relationship between the UK and the EU. The Ministry of Justice, which has responsibility for civil judicial cooperation legal instruments such as the Brussels I recast Regulation, has been working closely with DExEU to consider options for the future relationship between the UK and the EU. We will work to ensure the best outcome for the UK, including its consumers and businesses.

Ministry of Defence

Special Forces

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether consideration is being given to the establishment of a parliamentary committee to oversee special forces operations in a closed and confidential setting.

Earl Howe: It is a longstanding position that Her Majesty's Government does not comment on Special Forces related activity.I refer my noble Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (Sir Michael Fallon) to Question 41980 on 11 July 2016.



Special Forces: Finance
(Word Document, 14.98 KB)

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Consumer Protection Measures in the Ticket Resale Market Review

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will publish their response to the Independent review of consumer protection measures concerning online secondary ticketing facilities.

Lord Ashton of Hyde: The Government is looking very carefully at Professor Waterson’s recommendations and a response will be published in due course.

Home Office

Public Sector: Interpreters

Baroness Coussins: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions have been held between the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office about the eligibility of public service interpreters for a criminal records check at enhanced disclosure level; and what has been the outcome of those discussions.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: An individual who is seeking to work with children or vulnerable adults may be eligible for an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, eligibility for which is set out in Part V of the Police Act 1997. Eligibility takes into account the activities and circumstances under which the person is performing the role, and not necessarily the profession.Interpreters in certain public service positions may already be eligible for enhanced checks, for example those working within prisons or those working in certain roles with children or vulnerable adults. It is for an employer to satisfy themselves that the relevant position is eligible under the current legal provisions. Detailed guidance on eligibility is provided by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Visas: Middle East

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many applications for asylum were made in 2015 and 2016 by those to whom they had previously granted visas to travel to the UK from Iraq and Syria.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Figures on asylum claims from Iraq and Syria are published as part of the Government’s Transparency agenda. In the period concerned there were the following claims from Iraq and Syria:PeriodIraqSyria2015 Q12915572015 Q22954032015 Q37518562015 Q41,3119782016 Q11,0484942016 Q18384782016 Q1820348Totals5,3544,114Identification of the number of these claims who had previously submitted a visa cannot be supplied for reasons of disproportionate cost.

Fracking: Protest

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what advice they have given, or will give, to the North Yorkshire police and York City Council over their reported inclusion of anti-fracking campaigning and sentiments as requiring monitoring and intervention in their Prevent strategy.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Prevent is about safeguarding vulnerable people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. Political interest and protest, including in anti-fracking groups operating within the law, are entirely legitimate activities and are not of interest to Prevent. The Home Office and Police continually work together to improve the utility of Counter Terrorism Local Profiles (CTLPs).

Counter-terrorism

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 9 December (HL3756), whether they will create a process whereby people outside the Home Office can directly feed back and challenge Prevent training when it is considered to be straying beyond a remit of safeguarding people from becoming involved in terrorism, such as by identifying anti-fracking protesters as extremists.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Prevent is about safeguarding vulnerable people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. This cannot be done by Government alone, and training in Prevent plays a vital part in empowering people to safeguard those who need our help. Prevent training is kept under continued review. Those who receive training are encouraged to provide feedback on all aspects of it.

Road Traffic Offences

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the value to the development of enforcement policy of collating data on the number of people killed or injured resulting from drivers breaking the law.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The enforcement of road traffic offences is an operational matter for the police, drawing on relevant statistical information as appropriate, and taking into account any specific local problems and demands.

Refugees: Employment

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether refugees from any countries are allowed to work immediately after being accepted into the UK; and, if so, from which countries.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: All those granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK or resettled under one of our resettlement schemes are allowed to work immediately.

Refugees: Syria

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what will be the status of young Syrian refugees in the EU and the UK when they reach the age of 18.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Children of all nationalities who qualify for refugee status in the UK will normally be granted five years’ limited leave to remain. At the end of that five year period they will be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain if they continue to require protection.The status of young Syrian refugees in other EU Member States is a matter for the relevant authorities in those countries.

Immigrants: Detainees

Lord Ramsbotham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to change their revised definition of torture issued on 12 September, in the light of position statement PS07/16 of the Royal College of Psychiatrists on the definition of torture in the context of immigration detention policy, issued in December.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Following a court order dated 2 December 2016 in the case of R (on the application of Medical Justice) v the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in respect of the Home Office policy on adults at risk in immigration detention, the Home Office has reverted to the pre-12 September definition of torture in the context of immigration detention, until the Court reaches its final judgment in the case. As court proceedings are ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment on the statement from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Refugees: Syria

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what account is taken of the resolution of the House of Commons on the Daesh genocide of minorities (HC Deb, 20 April, col 608) when prioritising victims of genocide for resettlement under the Syrian vulnerable persons resettlement programme.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: We are clear that our scheme will prioritise the most vulnerable refugees, and that is why under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement (VPR) scheme the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) identifies refugees for resettlement using its established vulnerability criteria. The seven vulnerability criteria used by the UNHCR are Legal and or Physical Protection Needs; Survivors of Torture and/or Violence; Medical Needs; Women and Girls at Risk; Family Reunification; Children and Adolescents at Risk and Lack of Foreseeable Alternative Durable Solutions.

Hate Crime: EU Nationals

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to counter xenophobia towards European Union nationals.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: We have been working with the police at national and regional levels to monitor hate crime since the EU Referendum and to ensure that local forces have the necessary assistance and guidance to respond.Police forces are responding robustly to recent incidents, and victims can be reassured that their concerns about hate crime will be taken seriously by the police and courts.On 26 July we published the cross-Government Hate Crime Action plan which includes actions to drive down hate crime across all communities, including £2.4million for security at places of worship and £300,000 funding for community groups who wish to start innovative projects. We have allocated some of that funding to a project which will support Polish and Romanian nationals dealing with hate crime incidents in London.Ministers and officials have also met Ambassadors and High Commissioners from all EU states and offered reassurance and a single point of contact for them to raise concerns over hate crime on behalf of their citizens. We have also given advice to embassies on practical steps they can take to help their citizens and we continue to work closely with them on this issue.

Refugees: Children

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the risks of unaccompanied child refugees in Europe being recruited by terrorists and other extremist groups, including organised crime.

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to propose a high-level pan-European meeting to consider the development and implementation of effective responses to the needs of unaccompanied refugee and migrant children.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: We work with a wide range of organisations both in the UK and across Europe to safeguard and support vulnerable individuals and prevent them from becoming radicalised.The Government recognises the plight of vulnerable children in Europe and we are taking action on a number of fronts to address this issue. We have established a £10 million Refugee Children Fund for Europe to support the needs of vulnerable refugee and migrant children arriving in Europe. Since 10 October over 750 unaccompanied minors have been transferred from France and more eligible children will be transferred from Europe, in line with the terms of the Immigration Act, in the coming months. We will continue to meet our obligations under the Dublin Regulation. The Home Secretary and Immigration Minister have met with their Italian counterparts recently to discuss this issue, and the UK is in regular contact with our European partners at all levels. There is already sufficient scope for the UK to discuss responses to the needs of unaccompanied children with our European partners.

Northern Ireland Office

Terrorism: Northern Ireland

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they are considering for offering rehabilitation and amnesty to members of militant groups in Northern Ireland who are willing to renounce violence and to pursue their aims by exclusively political and democratic means.

Lord Dunlop: There was never any justification for paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland and there is none today. The UK Government is committed to working with the Northern Ireland Executive to end paramilitary activity through the measures agreed in the Fresh Start Agreement, and to supporting legitimate and accountable community organisations. This Government believes in the rule of law and does not support amnesties.